Como Reject €30m Leeds Bid For Croatia Playmaker Martin Baturina
Leeds tried their luck for Martin Baturina but €30m was not enough for Como.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 22 January 2026
Como have rejected a major offer from Leeds United for Croatia midfielder Martin Baturina, according to reports in Italy.
Tuttomercatoweb say Leeds put €30m plus bonuses on the table, but Como turned it down.
It is a big statement from the Serie A club, who see Baturina as central to their project under Cesc Fabregas.
Martin Baturina and why Como can say no to the likes of Leeds
It’s not surprising to see a famous English Premier League club like Leeds take a shine to Martin Baturina.
However, Baturina only joined Como last summer, signing a contract that runs until 2030.
It’s very rare for a club to sell a player so soon after joining, particularly when they’re doing so well.
Como described Baturina on their official website as a top young talent with “vision” and “flair”.
Last minute equalisers don’t come much better than this 😍
Watching this Martin Baturina goal on repeat 🔁#ComoBologna pic.twitter.com/ZDpsN1HBjE
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 11, 2026
On the pitch, he has been backing that up. He was man of the match against Lazio after a goal and an assist.
After that game, Baturina said he feels he is improving because he has the whole squad around him.
In addition, such a long deal gives Como control and makes their hand incredibly strong in negotiations.
And it’s not as though Como need to sell. They have the wealthiest owners in Italian football.
Indeed, some of the players they are being linked with suggests they are looking to build, not sell.
For instance, Como like John Stones, who will probably leave Manchester City this summer.
Fellow Man City man Oscar Bobb also interests Como.
Martin Baturina and what Leeds do next
Martin Baturina is a young and incredibly talented creative midfielder who can play between the lines and unlock deep defences.
With that in mind, it’s understandable to hear of Leeds wanting to bring him to Elland Road.
They may be in the lower reaches of the Premier League table, but they are eight points clear of the bottom three.
And should they stay up, they will be able – and eager – to kick on for next term.
However, Como’s stance suggests they believe Baturina’s value could rise further, especially if he keeps producing in Serie A.
Leeds must now either consider returning with an improved offer, or switch focus to other targets before the window closes.
TMW’s report does not say Como have set an exact asking price, only that €30m plus bonuses was not enough.
So, unless Leeds can offer a number Como cannot ignore, the likeliest outcome is that Baturina stays put.
And for Como, rejecting a €30m bid is a loud reminder that they want to be taken seriously in this new era.
Como risk losing Nico Paz this summer due to Real Madrid’s buyback clause, so they will be especially cautious of letting other stars go.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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